The St. Thomas Rotary Music Festival will reach its 62nd year when it takes place February 22 to 26, 2016. The St. Thomas Rotary Club has released the Syllabus which is now available on the Club’s website www.rotarystthomas.org. Printed copies may be picked up at Maestro Music Academy, 323 Talbot St., Central Music Academy, 135 Wellington St., Public Libraries in St. Thomas and Aylmer, St. Thomas public schools, or from Ron Somerville ronsom@bell.net. Copies are also available at schools in East and West Elgin.

The Syllabus is the selection tool for music teachers and students wishing to participate in the Festival. It establishes classes and standards for music competition and performance. It also provides entrance requirements and information concerning scholarships. This month, music teachers and students are encouraged to select their entries in order to register by the deadline of December 15. Registration is a demanding part of the work of the committee as scheduling entrants and classes takes place throughout January once the participants and their classes are known.

The purpose of the festival is to promote musical interest and development across all ages and interest groups. Alternative music classes provide a venue for young and old performers in guitar and drum classes, and also classes in new and innovative areas of jazz, creative composition, and sight reading. Classes for voice ensembles, choirs, oral readings remain as a part of the program. Also the festival provides scope for dramatic and colourful solos by young people who have trained in school productions. New this year, we have added classes for those who compose and perform their own music with a wide range of styles and instruments.

Ron Somerville is again chairing the Festival Committee and reports that arrangements for adjudicators and sites are now finalized. For more information, contact Ron Somerville 226-377-2958; ronsom@bell.net